Bal Gangadhar Tilak, was one of the first leaders of the Indian independence movement. He is called “Father of the Indian unrest” and was conferred with the title of Lokmanya, which means “accepted by the people as a leader”. Mahatma Gandhi called him “The Maker of Modern India”. Because of his widespread publicity, he was able to stir national consciousness among the masses. Some of his important contributions include:

• Philosophy of Swaraj: The triumvirate Lal-Bal-Pal formed the major extremist faction of Congress during the Bengal division. They represented the group which thought that moderate actions are not enough to gain self-rule. Tilak was instrumental in adoption of ‘Swaraj’ as the goal of Congress in 1906 Calcutta session presided by Dada Bhai Naoroji.
• Nationalism: He recognized the tremendous symbolic significance of historical and religious festivals, flags and slogans in arousing the spirit of nationalism. Therefore, he made very effective use of such symbols in the form of Ganpati festival, references of Shivaji, and incidents from Geeta and Mahabharata in his speeches to mobilize people against policies of the British government.
• Theory of ‘boycott’ and ‘Swadeshi’: Tilak saw the value in the tools of boycott and swadeshi for the reconstruction of Indian industry, trade and craft and rescue it from its dilapidated condition.
• Propaganda through newspaper: Tilak founded two newspapers i.e., Kesari and Maharatta which actively propagated the cause of national freedom. His fiery articles were blamed for inciting murder of the British Officers who were members of the Special Plague Committee. His imprisonments related to the sedition charges also inspired the masses to break laws in Gandhian way and court arrest.
• Home Rule League: In the backdrop of WW I, Tilak and Annie Besant started their Home Rule Movement, which is believed to have set the stage for the Indian independence movement. The movement put tremendous pressure on British rule, which had to introduce Montagu-Chelmsford reforms, which formed the basis of constitutional reforms through the Government of India Act, 1919.

Tilak was a realist in his approach to political problems. His formula for preparing the ground for political activism through culture, education and media was so powerful that it was later on adopted by Mahatma Gandhi also.